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April 11, 2012 Obituaries

Richard Bernard Brasseur

Richard Bernard Brasseur, 80, of Irasburg died on April 6, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 28, 1931, in Newport, the youngest son of Oswald and Antonie (Ducharme) Brasseur. On May 30, 1953, he married the love of his life, Lorraine Deslandes, who survives him.

He purchased the family farm in 1952, and began his lifetime of stewardship to preserve and develop the land and create a family legacy.

Mr. Brasseur’s love of life was evident to all those who knew him. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed sharing the experience of these outdoor activities. He loved traveling across the United States and Canada with his wife on multiple occasions. This included long Sunday drives, and excursions to various fairs throughout New England to watch horse pulling. He also loved listening to music, singing and dancing with family and friends, sharing a good story or joke, and being social in groups, large and small.

In his retirement, he realized and pursued his dream with his wife to develop their river frontage property, to include Twin Island Pond, and family campground. Sharing this land with family and friends has contributed to the creation of many cherished memories and events that will continue beyond his life due to this precious gift.

Mr. Brasseur was committed to church and community involvement. He was a communicant of both St. John’s de Vianney and St. Theresa’s Catholic churches. He also held memberships with The Knights of Columbus Gibbons Council #2285 and #1157, attaining 4th Degree.

He is survived by the following children: Bernard Brasseur and his wife, Lorraine, of Cornish, New Hampshire, Wilfred Brasseur and his wife, Judy, of Richmond, Texas, Monica Gutzmer and her husband, Todd, of Boulder, Colorado, Phillip Brasseur of Irasburg, Francine Lemnah and her husband, Mark, of Westford, Maurice Brasseur and his wife, Linda, of Newport, Armand Brasseur and his wife, Henda, of Hawaii, Joanne Limoges and her husband, Claude, of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, Lorianne Noll and her husband, Michael, of Rye, New Hampshire, Linda Greene and her husband, Gary, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Mark Brasseur of South Portland, Maine. He was loved and will be missed by 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Lucille Martineau, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and by two brothers: Yves Brasseur and his wife, Yolande, of Irasburg, and Martial Brasseur and his wife, Priscilla, of Bristol, Connecticut. He is also survived by a large extended family. He was predeceased by a sister, Marie (Yvelande) Chicoine Anderson.

Funeral services were held on April 10, in Orleans.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Most Holy Trinity Parish’s Maintenance Fund, 85 St. Paul Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

E.C. Michael Camp

E.C. Michael Camp, 49, of Rush, New York, died suddenly on March 29, 2012, at his home.

He was born on December 9, 1962, in Newport, the beloved son of Edwin and Joan (Petch) Camp. He graduated from North Country Union High School in 1980 where he was an active member on the track and field team.

During high school, he worked at the former Natole Motors. He traveled to California on two occasions with Kit Kinney where he worked at a dealership in Sacramento.

In 1984, he graduated with honors from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a bachelor’s degree. After graduating from UVM, he became a quality control engineer at Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. In 2009, he established Petcetera Home Petcare where he offered in-home pet care, dog walking, and puppy care.

Mr. Camp cared for four dogs during his lifetime and they were his constant companions.

He is survived by his parents Edwin and Joan Camp of Newport; by his niece Maghen Cote and her husband, Matthew, of Derby; by his nephew Aaron Camp of Derby Line; by his great-nephew Hayden Cote; and by his great-niece Rayne Cote. He is also survived by his dear dog Blue. He was predeceased by his brother Christopher Camp on March 6, 2009.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road, in Newport, with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport. A luncheon will follow the interment at The East Side Restaurant in Newport.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Major Mitchell J. Hunt

Major Mitchell J. Hunt, 93, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, died on March 30, 2012, at his home.

Born on September 3, 1918, in Derby Line, he was the son of the late Porter Hunt and Margaret (Jenkins) Hunt.

He was the beloved husband of Karen (Mickus) Hunt, and the late Marjorie (Nelson) Hunt.

A seventh generation Vermonter, he grew up as part of the international community on the Canadian border. His interest in family roots began in the 1960s, tracing 160 family names including six relatives who arrived on the Mayflower.

His father died a few days after he graduated from Derby Academy. He went on to study business at Bay Path College in Springfield, Massachusetts, then worked there and in Burlington before joining the military in April of 1941.

His initial assignments were in chemical warfare and after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, he was transferred to an intelligence unit in the Air Force. Two years later he attended Officer Candidate School in Miami, Florida, where he became “a 90-day wonder 2nd Lieutenant in the Class of 1944-C.”

He was assigned to various posts in the U.S. and then was sent to Orly Air Field in Paris, France, for another seven months as Intelligence and Security Officer, and in photographic, historic, and travel control positions until the surrender of Japan at the end of World War Two. He was released from active duty but maintained an active duty status through correspondence courses in the reserves until his retirement at age 60 in 1978.

In 1946 he enrolled in the University of Vermont (UVM) where he received a BA degree in political science and economics, founded the Reserve Officers’ Association, and was a member of Sigma Phi fraternity. He also was editor of Panorama Magazine and Vermont Vacation Guide, a 316-page publication.

He was granted a fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, graduating with honors and a master’s degree in public administration.

For 33 years, he was employed in governmental research for the Pennsylvania Economy League with an emphasis on school district organization and planning.

Besides his genealogical interests he was involved in many recreational and civic affairs in Willow Grove, and was an avid golfer into his late years, and played the organ and guitar.

Survivors include his son Philip, a lawyer in Portland, Maine and his wife, Susan; his son Robert, a teacher in Lancaster, New Hampshire, and his wife, Elizabeth; and his daughter Sarah Hobart, director of admissions at UVM, of Westford, and her husband, Kyle; his grandchildren: Miles, Sarah, James, David, Jennifer, and Katherine; his eleven nephews and nieces; and his sisters-in-law: Mary Tanner Hunt of Chestertown, Maryland, Jean Nelson Hunt and her husband, Albert, of Woodstock, and Pat Brush Hunt of Morgan. He was predeceased by his brothers: Lyman and his wife, Amelia, and Paul Hunt.

He is to be buried during the summer with his first wife, Marjorie, in the Nelson family plot in Woodstock.

The full obituary is available at wetzelandson.com.

Madeleine Masseau

Madeleine Y. Masseau, 86, died on April 7, 2012, at Bel-Aire Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Newport, after a period of declining health.

She was born in East Hereford, Quebec, on July 13, 1925, daughter of Arthur and Eliane (Dumoulin) Paquette. She attended St. Albert’s Catholic School in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire, Clarksville Grammar School in Clarksville, New Hampshire, and the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Stanhope, Quebec.

Her first job was at her uncle’s store, Gagnon’s Market, in Beecher Falls. She moved to Hyde Park where she met and married Omer Masseau and together they had many happy years in their home in Centerville raising their son Vincent among a large circle of friends and family.

She and her husband worked during the winters for the Mount Mansfield Company before she became a clerk, then manager of the Ben Franklin store in Morrisville. In 1973 they purchased a small store from her Uncle Florien and Aunt Ernestine on Glen Road in Newport, settling into a new community. After operating the Masseau’s Store, Mr. and Mrs. Masseau, and her sister Rita, purchased a lovely brick home in Irasburg, into which they poured their love and energy to create the Brick House B & B. There they enjoyed many years of entertaining guests from all over the world who delighted in their homemade cooking and wonderful hospitality, many of whom became lifelong friends. The three eventually retired together, purchasing a home on Blake Street in Newport. There they continued to be active members of the community, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, and developed new friendships.

Mrs. Masseau enjoyed being involved in civic and church activities, including the Daughters of Isabella and serving as president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society. She taught religious classes and volunteered as a French teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary School. She was an accomplished cook, especially devoted to preserving traditional French Canadian recipes and hosting large family dinners. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, knitting, and quilting, but most of all, she loved being with family and friends.

After the deaths of her husband and sister, she found comfort and care at Michaud Memorial Manor in Derby Line where she continued her church involvement by preparing the chapel for each Mass and advocating for and contributing to a paved walkway for the residents.

She is survived by her son Vincent and his wife, Jean, and their two sons: Colin and Evan of Hinesburg; by two brothers: Gilles Paquette and his wife, Muriel, and their daughter, France, of Morrisville, and Alain Paquette and his wife, Millie, of Morrisville; by her brother-in-law Raymond Lemire and his wife, Lorraine, and their children: Mario, Genevieve, Philippe, Sylvie, Yolande, Yvan, Elise, Ginette, Gaetean, and Claude of Canada; by her sisters-in-law: Violette Morin of Chiefland, Florida, and Jeanne Underwood of Kodak, Tennessee; by her nephew John Paquette and his wife, Lynn, and their son, Adam, of Utah; and by many dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband Omer, and her sisters: Yolande Lemire and Rita Paquette.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 13, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on April 13, before Mass, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 37 Lake Road in Newport. Interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the S.J.B Scholarship Fund, in honor of Chapter NO34 (Newport) for Newport and Vermont students: S.J.B Educational Foundation, P.O. Box F, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Will Werntgen

Will Werntgen, 71, of Glover died suddenly on Friday, April 6, 2012, at his home.

With his positive and joyful attitude for life, he fought hard against a difficult situation of repeated meningitis.

He was born in the Bronx, the son of Elsa and Herman Werntgen, both immigrants from Germany. He attended New York University for business and later got his master’s degree at Johnson State College for special education. Seeking the thrill of skiing, he moved to Vermont over 44 years ago. He lived in Essex before moving to Daniels Pond in Glover in 1989.

Mr. Werntgen was a very caring person, deeply committed to his family and his community. He was a guardian ad litem for many years, on the Newport Reparative Board, Osher Lifelong Learning board, the Glover Ambulance, and a relief from abuse worker. He was a committed ally to people with disabilities being involved with Orleans County Citizen Advocacy for years.

He loved the outdoors and spent much time sailing, windsurfing, walking, biking, gardening and just “shooting the breeze” with his neighbors. He loved to read, belonging to four local libraries, and relax on the couch watching a good movie with his special cheese popcorn he made at his side.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Delzio: by their daughter Kayla of Barton; by his three sons: Kurt and his wife, Elizabeth, from Marietta, Georgia, Neal and his partner, Mindy, of Essex, and Eric and his wife, Robin, of Fort Kent, Maine. He had four grandchildren and another one due in July. Grandpa Will gave so much of himself to these four children through their adventures together — swimming, kite flying, fishing, reading and just hanging out. He is also survived by his sister Trudy and her husband, Fred, of Atlanta, Georgia; by a brother, Ralph, and his wife, Susan, of Moretown; and by many nieces- and nephews-in-law.

A celebration of his life will be held at his home on Daniels Pond on April 14 at 3 p.m. Please carpool for space.

Contributions in his name can be made out to the professional and dedicated team of the Glover Ambulance, P.O. Box 64, West Glover, Vermont 05875; or to the outstanding, committed Glover library, 51 Bean Hill Road, Glover, Vermont 05839. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Eleanor Wiggin Young

Eleanor Wiggin Young, 97, died on April 3, 2012, at her home.

She died before the host of daffodils along Bear Swamp Road arrived, but she did get to enjoy the crocuses and the first green grass of the year.

She was born in Scarsdale, New York, on May 27, 1914. She followed some of her ancestors north to Vermont in 1947 and lived in Wolcott most of the time since then. For many years, she and her husband, John Young, who predeceased her in 2005, ran Young’s Christmas Trees, Inc., an organization that pioneered many of the innovations resulting in modern plantation-grown Christmas trees. Mr. and Mrs. Young were conservation-minded long before it became fashionable. Among their many contributions was the purchase and protection of Bear Swamp in Wolcott, one of the important tracts of lowland boreal forest in Vermont. Their contributions also reached far beyond the local area, as they supported underprivileged children in several countries over many decades.

Mr. and Mrs. Young started out as young parents and small business owners in the depth of the Great Depression, an experience that caused them to live simply and frugally throughout their long lives. In the early days, they had few resources for travel and the arts. But later they traveled widely: to Alaska, Europe, Afghanistan and the Middle East, and Egypt. They became dedicated supporters of artistic and cultural activities here in northern Vermont.

Although Mrs. Young preferred a quiet life and enjoyed solitude, the Young home in Wolcott was a center of hospitality for generations of relatives and friends from all over the country and the world. Twice in the past few years, her grandsons and their families lived in the house with her as they made transitions in their lives. For the past year, she lived alone but interacted on a daily basis with members of her family. The day before she died, she was discussing literature and politics with family members, and delighting in a new shipment of large print books, one of her few concessions to age.

Her life appeared to be gracious and tranquil, and this tended to mask the fact that she experienced many turbulent times and dealt with difficult human relations during the course of her life. Hers was the kind of courage that fits the well-known concept of “grace under pressure” and can easily go unnoticed.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives: Dr. Steven B. Young and his wife, Janice Roy, of Wolcott, and Dr. Oran R. Young and his wife, Gail Osherenko, of Wolcott and Santa Barbara, California. There are also three grandsons: Gordon Young and his wife, Jeanne Thurston, Thomas Young and his partner, Jan Kubanek, and Jamie Young; a granddaughter, Linda Young; two great grandsons: Nathaniel Young and Roean McLellan Young; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no formal funeral service, but a memorial service and celebration of the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Young will be held in June, with the date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her name to the Morristown Centennial Library, which provided her with much pleasure for well over 60 years, at P.O. Box 727, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.

The Malcolm R Davis Funeral Home of Craftsbury Common is assisting the family with arrangements.